MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Northern Illinois learned a few things by playing in this year's Orange Bowl.
First, the Huskies of the Mid-American Conference were no match for Florida State on this New Year's Day evening.
Second, when you play on the big stage, actions and words don't stay in the MAC.
Then again, the Huskies could have been stuck in DeKalb, Ill., where the temperature at kickoff was 9 degrees. A few hard knocks undoubtedly were worth the trip.
The final score was 31-10 at Sun Life Stadium, as the Huskies lost their first ever BCS bowl appearance.
NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch, ranked third in the country in total offense, had entered the game as a triple threat -- doing damage with his arm, his legs and, at least in the days leading up to the Orange Bowl, his mouth.
During the game, Lynch did not resemble the talented runner-passer. He rushed for just 44 yards and completed 15 of 41 for 176 yards, a touchdown and a costly interception.
That was the same redshirt juni...

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